An Adventure on Calcite Trail

On February 23, 2016; #wildphotochallnge brought me to hike my "favorite" trail.  I don't really have a favorite trail because I love them all; however I really enjoy the Calcite Foot Trail at the Mines of Spain so I chose this trail for the challenge.  

This trail is unique because it is more "rugged" terrain; if you could even call it that.  There are some obstacles on the trail and it takes you through different wild life habitats.  You can start at multiple points on the trail; but I always tend to start near the canoe launch heading towards the prairie.  This trail takes you through the prairie and obviously is more scenic during other seasons when the prairie is in bloom.  Once you are finished with this, the trail will take you through a small picnic area and then into a forested area with limestone steps ascending the elevation of the trail.  There are then different sections of forest and the views are spectacular.  

On this trip; my cell phone (that I use for a camera because I lack appropriate gear) died and I was unable to take photos of the entire trail.  This experience was memorable to me because of sledding.  Yes, you did read that correctly.  There is a part at the trail if you go this direction where there is a very steep decline in the elevation.  This area was covered from side to side with ice and snow, getting my footing was an impossible task.  So I grabbed a piece of soggy bark and attempted to ride like the wind down the hill.  When this was not successful, I abandoned the idea and just sat; jeans to the ice and used my legs to start scooting down the hill.  Before I knew it, gravity was taking me down the hill; and it was an exhilarating feeling!!  Unfortunately I do not have photos to commemorate the event; but just know that I had a blast.

DISCLAIMER: I do not recommended sledding down the steep hill on your bum or with any other equipment.  If you chose to do so it is at your own risk.  Comment if you have any questions.  

And for the photographs that I did take:

Sign marking Trail Head

Forest View

Limestone Steps

View of the stairs

Prairie Trails

Tree Views

View from forest trail of roads

For more information about the #wildphotochallenge check out We are Wilderness University by clicking here.

To follow my #wildphotochallge; follow me on Instagram by clicking here.

For more information about the Mines of Spain recreational opportunities and the EB Lyons Interpretive Center please click on the links bellow!

EB Lyons Interpretive Center

Mines of Spain

Trails

Please comment; your suggestions are always welcome, like and share!!  Happy Trails!

  

Eagle Point Park-- Failure at 1,000 Steps Trail Head

On Friday, February 19th, I was fortunate enough to have a companion for a short hike in Clinton, IA at Eagle Point Park.  This park is historic to the town and there are beautiful and scenic overviews.  The trails used to be well kept, but due to fund cuts, they are overgrown and maintained by the locals as small foot paths.  This makes for a very unique hiking experience as this allows the vegetation to grow and makes for some beautiful sights in the spring and summer.  This trail really is beautiful and it is here that I realized the importance of getting back to nature and the importance of realizing our place in the natural world years ago.  

My sisterly companion and I started are walk by going down the 1,000 Steps trail.  This trail used to be a small walk through the forest, a walk around the side of a limestone bluff and then 1,000 Step ascent to the main part of the park.  However, due to lack of maintenance the more scenic parts of this trail have crumbled and the limestone walk way and the steps are largely unsafe.  However, the locals have diverted this trail via foot path that goes through the forest, around the limestone bluff and then up a hill at a sloping incline to the main part of the park.  

We started the trail and found that it was quite muddy due to the recent snow melt and the rising temperatures, indicating that spring would be arriving soon.  We continued down the trail until it proved to be unsafe at this time due to the mud on the hills and the lack of regular maintenance.  

After being defeated by the tail conditions, we ended up walking up to the main road coming in.  We hiked the main road loop from the parking area by the Eagle Point Lodge, around the loop and back to the parking lot.  In total about 1.5 miles around the loop in total. The weather conditions, if anyone recalls were WINDY!!  So windy in fact that it was hard to stop and take any photographs without concern for getting blown away!!  

So please enjoy these few photos that I was able to take:

Helen and I at the overlook.

Helen and I by the 1,000 Steps Trail Head; preparing for battle.

Mississippi River Pool 12 at Overlook.

Mississippi River Pool 12 at 1,000 Steps Trail Head.

Mississippi River Pool 12; view of spillway and Lock and Dam 13.

Pool 12; view toward Bulger's Hollow Campground.

I hope that you enjoyed the photos that I was able to provide; sorry that the hike was not more exciting!  

If you would like more information about Eagle Point Park in Clinton, Iowa; please click on the links bellow!

Description of Park
Park History and Photos

Please comment; suggestions are always welcome, like and share!!  Thank you for reading and Happy Trails!!

Mines of Spain- Off the Beaten Path!

On February 15, 2016, I decided that I needed a change of scenery and therefore made the decison to get off the beaten path.  By that I mean the path that I usually take and am familiar with.  At the Mines of Spain when you go to the Horseshoe Bluff trail you will immidatly notice that there are a lot of small pathways that lead away from the main path.  Some of these are made by locals looking for a more private place to relax, rest, or socialize in a more private setting.

On this day, I started at the bottom of the trail and got off to quite a rocky start.  You see, it had recently snowed and the snow texture was fine and powdery.  I did not occur to me that this fine, powdery snow would in fact be sitting on top of a thick and dense layer of ice; which it was.  The result:

My body print in the snow.

 I biffed it for the first time this year; at which time I made a dedicated decision to invest in proper hiking gear for varying weather conditions as soon as possible.

However; I did not let the incident detour me from my intentions; and I continued the hike; to the right and away from the ice.  This led me into a series of interwoven paths that led through the wetlands area which of course was frozen over at this time.  However; the view was different and at this time I was able to obtain my photograph for Day 5 of the #wildphotochallenge that I have undertaken from We are Wilderness University; which you can learn more about by clicking here.  You can also follow me on Instagram to see all of my photos from the #wildphotochallenge by clicking here.

This walk was very brief- about 30 minuets long; I have no idea how to tell you where it is because it was not marked on the trail list that was provided on the Mines of Spain website; however if you go to Horseshoe Bluff and turn off to the first right path that you find; it will take you directly there.  You can hike for as long as you would like as these trails appear to be interconnected and well marked as well.

As always; please enjoy the following photographs from the hike:

Tree that did not loose its foliage. 

My improper hiking shoes for the weather.

Day 5 #wildphotochallenge- something old in nature-- I chose this bridge because it has clearly been in place for a long time.

Wildlife blind; please be quiet!

Forest Selfie-- I like the view of the limestone bluffs here; which is why I included it.

Behind these trees is limestone bluffs-- very pretty.

View of the forest; bent tree.

  
If you would like more information about the Mines of Spain Wildlife Refuge or the EB Lyons Intepretive Center please follow the links bellow:

Mines of Spain 
Trail Descriptions 
EB Lyons 


Please comment; suggestions are always welcome, like and share!!  

Happy Trails!!

Mines of Spain- Horseshoe Bluff

In Dubuque, Iowa there is a very popular Wildlife Refuge known as the Mines of Spain.  There is a collection of well kept hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.  There is also a place for launching canoes and other recreational activities.  One of the more popular trails for tourism is known as Horseshoe Bluff.  This trail is unique because it offers a scenic overlook with a breathtaking view of the geological formations for which the area is known, a great view of the Mississippi River and the Julian Dubuque Monument.  

This trail is also tiered and you can choose whether to start at the top or the bottom.  There are stairways that lead to each level and it is well marked as to what sites you are looking at, the history of the area, and other pieces of conservation information as you go.  It is impossible to get lost as the trail is essentially one big loop that leads back to the parking lot as long as you follow the signs and the main trail.    

This trail is one of my favorites in the park; especially when I get off work and I am looking for something quick to unwind from the day.  The completed loop is just under 1 mile in length and takes 30-45 minuets to walk.  

This day was memorable because I started the #wildphotochallenge offered from the We are Wilderness University; which you can check out here.  I started my day one on this trail on a very cold and very windy Wednesday afternoon!  

As always, please enjoy the following photographs from the hike:

View from the trail; you can see the Mississippi there in the background.

View of the limestone bluff and the second level from the overlook.

Stairway down to the second level; or up to the 3rd.

Day 1: #wildphotochallenge- photo of myself out in nature!

Icy walkway

View with process filter; I enjoy the way the lighting looks in this picture.

View from the overlook; the Julian Dubuque Monument is just to the left of this photo.

Walkway on the 2nd level; Red Pines.  It smells amazing through here.

Stairs from parking lot up to the 3rd level/overlook; or you can go to the right of the parking lot and start at the bottom!

Once again; I really hope that you enjoyed reading about my hike and looking at the photos that I took.  If you would like more information about the Mines of Spain or the EB Lyons Center please click on the links bellow:

Mines of Spain
Trail Information
EB Lyons Interpretive Center

Please comment; suggestions are always welcome, like and share!! 

Happy Trails!!

Stream Bottom Trail-Forest Ecology Trail at Swiss Valley Nature Preserve

On January 30, 2016, I hiked a small portion of trail at Swiss Valley Nature Preserve which is located about 5 miles south of Dubuque off HWY 20.  On this particular day, it was very cold and windy so I hiked the Stream Bottom Trail until you reach Catfish Creek and then turned to the right and took the Forest Ecology Trail back to the parking lot.  The round trip for this trail was about 20 minuets and the conditions were very icy.  I suggest wearing shoes with very good tread or shoes designed for walking on ice to avoid falls.  Thankfully, I was not injured during my journey but it was quite treacherous for someone who doesn't have the right gear (like me!).  

I was fortunate enough to be able to see some evidence of wildlife in the forest which was quite refreshing after the long cold and windy days that we have been experiencing as of late.  As always; please enjoy the following photographs from the hike:

View of Catfish Creek from the Stream Bottom Trail

Another photo of the winding creek

Buried Treasure

Bridge over the creek linking Stream Bottom Trail to the Forrest Loops

Trying to be artistic!

Another view of the Stream with Bridge and Plants!

I hope that you've enjoyed reading about my short adventure.  If you would like more information about Swiss Valley park, nature preserve, campground, et al; please follow the links bellow.

Nature Center
Park
Campground

Feel free to comment, like and share this blog!  I'm new to this any and feedback would be great!!

Thanks for reading!